By Lewis Hendrix. Last Updated 12th July 2023. Welcome to our guide on slip, trip and fall injury claims. Here, look at how much compensation for a slip or trip claim someone tripping and falling in a public place or at work could receive. Slips, trips and falls happen in the blink of an eye. The results can be devastating. From broken bones to damaged ligaments, there are many injuries that can result. In some cases, these could lead to fall at work compensation. Or, slip trip and fall claims against another party.
Here we discuss how much compensation for a fall you could receive. Plus, we offer the latest slip, trip or fall compensation guidelines. We even guide you on how long you could have to claim for injuries from slipping and falling due to someone’s negligence. Plus, we look at the average payout for a slip and fall in the UK.
What can make an injury worse is that the accident was avoidable, which has resulted from negligence on the part of someone, including an employer, business, local council etc. Compensation claims for slip trip and falls can very view our slip trip compensation calculator.
Help for someone tripping and falling in an accident that wasn’t their fault
This guide contains everything you may need to know about such cases. From slip, trip or falls compensation amounts to how to go about making a No Win No Fee claim where you don’t need to pay legal fees upfront, you’ll find answer below. We understand that making a claim is daunting, but with our professional advice and support, you can claim the compensation you deserve. You can speak to us through our team of advisors on 0800 073 8801, emailing office@accidentclaims.co.uk or putting your details into our call back form.
Choose a Section
- A Guide to Accident Claims for a slip, trip, fall injury
- What is a slip, a trip or a fall injury?
- The Process Of Making Slip, Trip And Fall Claims
- A Slip, a trip or a fall – accidents at work claims
- Tripping And Falling In A Public Place
- What Is The Time Limit For Slip And Trip Claims?
- Average Payout For Slip And Fall In The UK
- The Benefits of No Win No Fee Slips, Trip or Fall Compensation Claims
- Why Choose Us for Your Slip, Trip or Fall At Work Compensation Claim?
- Call for Free Advice and To Start a Fall At Work Compensation Claim
- FAQ’s Relating To Fall At Work Compensation Claims
A Guide to Accident Claims for a slip, trip or fall injury
Someone tripping and falling in an accident could cause a multitude of injuries. If you have slipped and fallen in an accident at work, on the pavement, or elsewhere, you could be left injured. Your injuries could range from a few bruises to significant life-altering impairment of function. If it was someone else’s fault, compensation could go some way towards helping you move forward after such an event.
Slip Trip Or Fall Accident Guide (Someone tripping and falling)
Before discussing slip, trip and fall injury claims, let’s talk about how these accidents happen. Being hurt in an accident is no fun, and the same is true when it comes to slips, trips and falls. It could be a slip on a wet floor, a trip over a poorly maintained pavement or a fall that would not have happened had the correct actions and safeguards been in place.
Your questions about slip and trip injuries answered
This guide has everything you need to know, including slip, trip or falls compensation amounts to how to go about making a claim. We understand that making a claim is daunting, but with our professional advice and support, you can win the maximum compensation you deserve if injured at work due to negligence. If you still have any questions about slips and trips injury claims by the end of this guide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
What is a slip, a trip or a fall injury?
A slip, trip or fall injury can be severe, and they are more common than you think too. Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) tell us that the largest category leading to injuries every year are slip, trips and falls in the workplace.
Thankfully, most slip, trips and falls result in non-fatal injuries, a piece of good news, but the statistics make for sobering reading. Under RIDDOR reporting, 33% of reported workplace accidents were slips, trips and falls on the same level in 2020/21.
Musculoskeletal injuries are common after a slip or trip, along with cuts and bruises. In some cases, fractures can result, and dislocations are not unheard of either.
Tripping occurs when someone catches their foot unexpectedly. It can be because the surface is uneven or there is a change in the level of the floor that they don’t know is there. Falling from a height is a workplace accident that the HSE say is still very much an issue.
The Process Of Making Slip, Trip And Fall Claims
You could suffer from various injuries from slips, trips and falls. However, in order to claim compensation, you need to prove that your injury was caused by someone else breaching their duty of care.
You are owed a duty of care in various places and situations. In the workplace, your employer owes you a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Per this duty of care, they must take reasonable steps to ensure your safety while in the workplace.
You are also owed a duty of care whilst in public places. The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 states that any party in control of a public space must take the necessary steps to ensure your reasonable safety whilst using that public space.
If your employer or an occupier breached their duty of care, you could become injured in a trip and slip accident. Later in this guide, we will provide some examples of how this type of accident could occur.
Contact our advisors today if you have any questions about making a slip, trip or fall compensation claim. Our advisors could offer you free legal advice regarding your potential claim and could connect you with our solicitors if they believe you may be eligible for compensation.
Evidence someone tripping and falling could gather
If you have been involved in an accident, or slipped, tripped or fallen at work or in a public place, you should;
- Take photos – most of us own a smartphone with a good integral camera, so take plenty of photos. This includes the site of the accident, what caused you to trip or to slip, for example. Take photos of the surrounding area, too, to show that there were no warning signs, for example.
- Witnesses – as is usually the case, when someone is hurt, many people will come to help. If there are any witnesses to your accident, ask them for their contact details so that in the case you opt to claim compensation, your legal team can use their statements to support your case.
- Medical help – as we have seen, some people suffer injuries that can range from cuts and bruises to broken bones and dislocations. It is important that if you have been hurt that you seek medical advice and treatment for your injuries. However, if you encounter any issues with your treatment, such as a misdiagnosed fracture, you could also make a medical negligence claim. The extent and severity of your injuries will inform slip and trip compensation amounts. Some people take photos of their injuries too useful as evidence as part of your claim. Depending on your case, you may have your injuries examined further, too, to ensure that you receive the right level of compensation. Our slip, trip and fall compensation calculator is a useful tool to use when considering making slips and trips injury claims.
To make a claim for compensation after an accident that was by no means your fault, you will no doubt need the help of a solicitor.
A Slip, a trip or a fall – accident at work claims
The HSE note that of all non-fatal accidents at work, the biggest category resulting in injury are slips, trips and falls. As an employer, there is a duty of care placed on them to ensure that all employees, visitors, contractors and customers are safe on their premises.
Where trips and falls are a known hazard, a business is expected to have slips, trips and falls risk assessment. This is the process that identifies risks, note hazards and, more importantly, sets out what action is to be taken to reduce the risk.
Many employers complete this process, such as slips, trips and falls risk assessment at NHS hospitals and clinics, as the risk of slipping in some areas is high.
But accidents do still happen, and with only the smallest of changes, they could be prevented. A national frozen food retailer was fined in 2017 for a missing handrail that led to an employee falling, causing them injuries that, although not life-threatening or life-changing, were still severe.
To speak with someone about slips and trips injury claims in work and see if you could be eligible to claim, chat with our team today.
Slips, trips and falls in work statistics
Slips, trips and falls in the workplace may seem like something unavoidable and relatively minor. But slips, trips and falls can cause serious injuries, and they’re a common form of workplace accidents which could result in slip, trip and fall injury claims. The top causes of workplace non-fatal injuries in 2020-21 are on display in the graph below.
Slips, trips and falls pose a real risk of injuries. For example, in 2020/21, there were 3 fatal injuries from a slip, trip or fall on the same level affecting employees in all industries.
In addition, there were 20 fatal injuries from falls from height in the construction industry alone affecting employees, according to RIDDOR.
Slips, trips and falls on the same level across all industries led to over 33% of all reported accidents in this timeframe, which is more than any other single accident type that was reported.
And in public administration and defence, compulsory social security, education, human health and social work activities, slips, trips and falls on the same level were the cause of 5,704 accidents in 2020/21. This far outstripped the next most common accident cause, which was acts of violence, accounting for 3,794 accidents in this timeframe.
Although slips and trips on the same level tend to cause injuries that people can recover from, this isn’t always the case. In 2020/21, according to RIDDOR, there were 3 deaths across all industries that were the result of a slip, trip or fall on the same level. Although slips and trips aren’t fatal the majority of times they take place, they can result in death.
Tripping And Falling In A Public Place
Were you injured as someone tripping and falling in a public place? If so, you might not realise that there could be some instances where slipping and falling in a public place could lead to compensation. This is because, under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, the person in control of a public space has a duty of care towards those that visit it for it’s intended purpose. For example, the local authority could have a legal duty of care towards park users. Or, the person in control of a supermarket could have a duty of care towards those shopping in their stores.
If you were injured as a result of a third party breaching their duty of care, you could be able to seek compensation. For example, a wet floor might not have been properly signposted or cleaned after a spillage in a supermarket aisle causing you to slip and fall and break your elbow.
Call for more information.
Could I always claim for slipping and falling in a public place?
Not all injuries in public places caused by someone tripping and falling would lead to slip, trip and fall claims. You would need to demonstrate that the occupier breached their duty of care towards you to claim. You would also need to prove that the breach of duty of care caused your injuries.
We could assess any slip, trip and fall claims to see if there is anyone who could be held liable for your injuries. Please don’t hesitate to call us, as we can provide eligibility checks free of charge.
What Is The Time Limit For Slip And Trip Claims?
The time limit for beginning a slip and trip claim, as with any type of personal injury claim, is generally three years from the date you were injured in the accident. This time limit is set out in the Limitation Act 1980.
There are circumstances where exceptions may apply to this limitation period, such as:
- If a child is injured in a slip or trip accident, the three-year time limit is paused until their 18th birthday. From this date, they will have three years to start a claim. However, prior to this date, a court-appointed litigation friend could make a claim on their behalf.
- For claimants who lack the mental capacity to start their own claim, the time limit is suspended indefinitely, and a litigation friend could claim on their behalf. If a claim has not been made and they were to regain this mental capacity, they would have three years to start a claim from the date of recovery.
Speak to our advisors at any time for free advice on slips and trips claims. They could also inform you whether you have enough time to start your claim.
Average Payout For Slip And Fall In The UK
Looking for the average payout for a slip and fall in the UK would not necessarily give you any useful insight into how much compensation for a fall you could receive. This is because every case is assessed on its own merits. All the facts and circumstances of the accident and injury must be considered when calculating compensation for slip, trip and fall claims.
Examples of some of the factors that could be considered when valuing your claim can include:
- The type of injury you sustain
- The severity of your injury
- Your future prognosis
- Your recovery period
For more information on how much compensation for a fall you could receive, please get in touch using the number above.
Slip, Trip And Fall Claims – Compensation Calculator
Settlements awarded following a successful claim could comprise general damages and special damages. General damages compensates for the emotional pain and physical suffering that you have experienced due to your injury.
To accurately calculate the value of your injury, solicitors can use the Judicial College Guidelines. This is a publication that includes compensation brackets corresponding to different types of injuries. It is one of the resources solicitors can use to help them assign a value to the general damages portion of your claim, alongside medical evidence.
Below, we have used figures from the guidelines in the table below. Please only use them as a guide, however, as your actual settlement will differ depending on your specific case.
| Injury | Amount | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Severe leg injury (i) | An injury that has fallen short of amputation but is still severe, such as the extensive degloving of the leg. | £96,250 to £135,920 |
| Less serious leg injury (i) | A soft tissue injury or fracture where an incomplete recovery has been made. | £17,960 to £27,760 |
| Severe knee injury (i) | A disruption of the knee joint, gross ligamentous damage with the development of osteoarthritis. | £69,730 to £96,210 |
| Severe knee injury (iii) | Pain and discomfort with limited movement due to a lesser severe knee injury. | £26,190 to £43,460 |
| Moderate knee injury (i) | A dislocation or torn meniscus/cartilage that causes weakness and wasting with a minor instability. | £14,840 to £26,190 |
| Serious achilles tendon injury | The complete tendon division has been successfully repaired but the person will be left with a limp and limited movement. | £24,990 to £30,090 |
| Minor achilles tendon injury | Some damage to the tendon due to the turning of the ankle. | £7,270 to £12,590 |
| Moderate ankle injury | Ligamentous injuries or fractures that make it difficult to walk on uneven ground or for a long period of time. | £13,740 to £26,590 |
| Wrist injury | A fracture or soft tissue injury that takes longer than a year to recover. | £6,080 to £10,350 |
| Wrist injury | An uncomplicated Colles' fracture. | In the region of £7,430 |
Special Damages For Slip And Fall Claims
Special damages is another head of claim that is considered by solicitors when valuing your personal injury compensation. Whilst general damages focus on the pain, suffering and loss of amenity inflicted by your injuries, special damages account for any monetary losses or out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of your trip and fall accident.
Examples of financial losses that could be compensated for in slip and fall claims include:
- A loss of earnings – your injuries may result in you taking an extended break from work. Subsequently, you may experience a loss of income.
- Care costs – your accident may result in a severe injury, such as a broken bone. Therefore, you may pay for a carer to help you with daily activities such as cooking.
- Prescription costs – you may need to pay for prescription medication that is required to alleviate the pain caused by your injuries.
Similarly to claiming general damages, you’ll also need to provide evidence that can highlight any financial losses you have experienced. For example:
- A pay slip can be used to prove a loss of earnings.
- An invoice from your carer can show care costs.
- A receipt of your prescription can highlight prescription fees.
If you have any additional questions about trip and fall claims or compensation amounts, you can contact one of our friendly advisors.
The Benefits of No Win No Fee Slip, Trip or Fall Compensation Claims
No win, no fee should mean what it says: if you don’t win your claim, you are not liable to pay a personal injury solicitor. But check the small print as not all solicitors have the same terms and conditions.
But, when you come to Accident Claims, you can trust that our expert panels of solicitors do offer their services on no win, no fee bases. If they are not successful, you don’t pay anything in legal costs or fees.
This means you can make a claim, safe in the knowledge that there is no financial risk to you, ideal when you may be suffering from a depleted income as a result of not being able to work. Speak to someone on our team about slip, trip and fall injury claims today and get your claim started.
Why Choose Us for Your Slip, Trip or Fall At Work Compensation Claim?
The reasons why you should choose us are many and varied;
- We have 40 years of experience in helping people access the legal help they need to make personal injury claims, from council compensation claims to a fall at work claim.
- We offer a genuine no win, no fee service.
- We are truly experts in the field of all personal injury compensation claims.
- We are here to answer your queries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Easily accessible, we can be contacted via online chat, email and our freephone number.
Call for Free Advice and To Start a Fall At Work Compensation Claim
If you want to start your claim or want more information on slips and trips injury claims, there is no better time than NOW to call our team!
Whether you are claiming for a shoulder injury after slipping in a supermarket, for an injury to your foot after tripping on uneven pavement, for a twisted knee after falling over an obstacle at work or making a claim for slipping on a wet floor, call us today to discuss your claim on 0800 073 8801.
Helpful Links Relating To Fall At Work Compensation Claims
HSE – Slips, falls and trips at work
The document from the HSE looks at the causes of slips, trips and falls in the workplace and how they can be prevented. It also highlights employer and employee responsibility when it comes to health and safety.
There are specific schemes, such as ‘Raising the Bar’ that are initiatives to prevent common accidents in the workplace, such as reducing the risks of slipping, tripping and falling within construction.
This looks at the latest accident and slips, trips and falls in the workplace statistics for in the workplace in the UK. It presents a clear picture of the work left to do to ensure safety at work.
Reporting A Problem With the Pavement
Uneven pavements present significant trip hazards. To prevent pavement trip compensation claims, the Government and local councils are encouraging people to report hazardous pavements, which you can at the above website by entering the postcode.
Other guides for someone with tripping and falling injuries
If you’ve sprained your ankle in a slip, trip or fall or another kind of accident, then this guide could help you claim.
Slipping or tripping on snow or ice
Have you injured yourself while slipping or tripping on ice or snow? If so, you could be entitled to claim compensation. Read our guide for more information.
If you’ve been left with a permanent scar after an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim. Read our guide to find out how.
Claim Compensation Following A Fall From A Ladder
Fall At Work Compensation Payouts – if you’ve suffered an injury after falling at your workplace, this guide explains your legal rights and how you can claim compensation.
Further Guidance
We’ve also included links to some of our most popular personal injury and accident claims guides which you may find useful:
- Whiplash compensation claims and payouts
- Learn more about accident claims
- MIB payout examples
- Psychological injury compensation calculator
- Council compensation payouts
- Tesco compensation payouts
- Compensation after being sexually assaulted
- What is the average payout for a car accident UK
- Passenger in car accident claim
- Laser hair removal burns
- Taxi passenger accident claim
- ASDA compensation payouts
- What’s the average compensation for a soft tissue injury in the UK?
- Who is responsible for making accident reports?
- PTSD compensation chart
- Slipped on the floor – can I claim?
- PTSD compensation payouts
- Payouts for hip replacements
- Uber accident claims
- Thorpe park accident
- How much compensation for anxiety after car accident
- Assault compensation
- Amputation compensation chart in the UK
- Head injury compensation payouts
- Payouts for whiplash
- Average payouts for a back injury at work in the UK
- Elbow injury compensation amounts
- How to get CCTV footage of a car accident
- Claims involving broken chairs
- NHS compensation payouts guide
- Accident in a car park – who’s at fault in the UK?
- Shoulder injury compensation calculator
- If someone cuts across you on a roundabout, whose fault is it?
- Death compensation calculations in the UK
- 50 50 insurance claim – who pays for what?
- Average settlement for a broken arm in the UK
- Facial scar compensation calculator
- Partial finger amputation compensation
- How much compensation per stitch in the UK?
- Death by medical negligence payouts in the UK
- Allergic reaction compensation amounts
- Compensation for death of family member
- How much compensation for being hit by a car in the UK
- What does loss of amenity mean?
- How much compensation for a misdiagnosis?
- Barbed wire injury claims
More injury claims guidance
- Average compensation for ankle injury
- Virgin train claim
- Tinnitus compensation calculator
- Dog bite claims
- Shoulder injury compensation payouts in the UK
- What happens to children’s compensation?
- Average compensation payout for a knee injury
- Average payout for a slip and fall in the UK
- Birth injury compensation calculator
- Wrist injury compensation calculator
- London bus accident claims
- Mental health compensation payouts
- What’s the manual handling weight limit?
- Average dog bite settlements in the UK
- Assaulted at work compensation
- How many personal injury claims go to court?
- Motorbike accident compensation
- Foot injury compensation payouts in the UK
- Accident on building site – can I claim?
- Road accident death claim calculator
- Leg injury claims
- Average payout for a broken ankle in the UK
- How long do i have to report a car accident to my insurance company in the UK?
- Broken leg compensation payouts in the UK
- Spinal injury compensation payouts in the UK
- Hernia compensation amounts
- Average payout for a herniated disc in the UK
- How long after an accident at work can you claim?
- Carbon monoxide poisoning compensation
- Tummy tuck gone wrong – can I claim?
- Claim for someone tripping and falling
- How to claim for loss of earnings in the UK
- Domestic abuse compensation
- I slammed my finger in car door – is it broken and can I claim?
- Historic abuse claims
- Personal injury claim denied – what can I do?
- Mobility scooter crash
Extra guidance
- Care home claims
- Finger injury claim calculator
- Blackpool pleasure beach accidents
- Accident at work procedures
- How much compensation for a wrong tooth extraction?
- Criminal injury compensation – how long does it take?
- Can I be sacked for having an accident at work?
- What happens if an employee breaches GDPR?
- Accident at work compensation – how much can I get?
- Get compensation for falling off a ladder
- Gym accidents
- What’s the CICA tariff table for 2020?
- Bicycle accident claim
- What percentage do solicitors take?
- Injury at work claims against the NHS
- Chronic pain compensation amounts
- Tattoo injury claims
- Average payout for nerve damage in the UK
- Loss of earnings calculator
- Driving instructor hit and run accidents
- Disneyland Paris incident claims
- Self employed accident at work claims
FAQs Relating To Fall At Work Compensation Claims
How serious does a slip, trip or fall need to be to make a fall at work compensation claim?
You could be entitled to claim fall at work compensation if you have suffered an injury, even if it is a minor one that heals within a few weeks or month. You should visit a doctor or speak to one of our advisors if you have been hurt in a slip, trip or fall accident.
How common are fatal fall at work compensation claims?
If someone you know has a fall at work and they suffer a fatal injury, you might feel that this would be a rare occurrence. However, in 2020/21, according to the Health and Safety Executive, 142 people were killed whilst at work. The work related accidents causes varied, but some of them included falls from a height.You can see the other causes in the graphic below.
Making Fatal Accident Claims
Have you lost a loved one due to someone tripping and falling because of someone else’s fault? You may be wondering whether there’s anything you could do about it. If you are the dependent or a relative of someone who has lost their life in a wrongful death, you could make a claim for compensation. We know that no amount of money could ever replace the loss of your loved one. However, it could help you to move forward after such an incident. It could also help compensate you for funeral expenses. Plus, it may even provide you with a bereavement award. We promised to handle such claims with the utmost sensitivity. Please call us in confidence to speak to us about making such a claim.
Do I need a local solicitor to make fall at work compensation claims?
When it comes to making slip trip or fall at work compensation claims, someone with tripping and falling injuries does not have to use a local solicitor. In fact, you do not have to use a solicitor at all. However, many people prefer to have legal support on their side when making such claims. The lawyer could take on all the legal legwork of proving your claim. They could also assist with negotiating the compensation.
Can I still claim slip, trip or fall compensation if there were no witnesses?
Were there no witnesses to your slip and fall accident? You may be wondering whether you could still claim slip, trip or fall compensation for your injuries. We should explain that you can, as other forms of evidence could help your claim. You’d need to prove that the accident occurred from the breach of someone’s duty of care towards you. However, witness evidence may not always be required. Instead, you could gather other forms of evidence. This could include CCTV footage. Or, pictures of the accident scene. Plus, medical evidence to provide details on the nature and full extent of your injuries.
Thank you for reading our guide on slip, trip and fall injury claims. We hope you now know how much compensation for a slip or trip claim is possible.
